root 1 of 2

noun

ˈrüt How to pronounce root (audio)
Definition of rootnext
1
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided he insists that insecurity is the root of all jealousy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in origin
the source from which something grows or develops one would need to go back at least several hundred years to find the root of the entrenched hostility between the neighboring nations

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in foundation
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests an implicit trust in the wisdom of the people is the root of democracy

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4
as in core
the central part or aspect of something under consideration at root, it's a question of the proper limits, if any, of free speech

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root

2 of 2

verb

as in to embed
to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter rooted the post securely in the dirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word root distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of root are inception, origin, and source. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

When would inception be a good substitute for root?

While the synonyms inception and root are close in meaning, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When is it sensible to use origin instead of root?

The synonyms origin and root are sometimes interchangeable, but origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

Where would source be a reasonable alternative to root?

In some situations, the words source and root are roughly equivalent. However, source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of root
Noun
In 2019, the company rebranded to pay homage to its Texas roots. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The Sentinel traces its roots back to the first newspaper in Orlando, the Orange County Reporter, which began in 1876. — Stephen M. Dowell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
But after that initial shock of recognition, after the first changes and the settling in, the shiftings in me came more slowly, took their time in rooting. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 When well rooted grow the new plants in a full sun location for best production. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
  1. source
  2. origin
  3. foundation
  4. core
  5. embed
  6. cradle
  7. beginning
  8. basis
Noun
  • The San Diego Padres will call up top catching prospect Ethan Salas when rosters expand Tuesday, a team source told The Athletic on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the move.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • From February through July 2026, ELG exceeded its plan by approximately $400 million of gross merchandise value, sources said.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of source
Noun
  • Most also agree on the origin of the beans, which are said to come from the low valleys and mountain slopes of the Andes in Peru.
    — Margy Rochlin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The actor opened up about the origins of his steely exterior in a 2023 interview with USA TODAY.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of origin
Noun
  • The brand built its foundation in rock ‘n’ roll under founding designers Stuart Trevor and Kait Bolongaro in 1994.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Terps football player Zion Elee and his family delivered about 300 backpacks Monday as part of a foundation effort that has distributed roughly 750 across the Baltimore area.
    — Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of foundation
Noun
  • At its core, Vermejo is a conservation laboratory developing the blueprint for rewilding in North America—the tourism element simply helps to fund it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • To create objects with collapsibility as a core feature, Toyonaga’s team devised an analytic design algorithm allowing incremental construction of complex scissored surfaces.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of core
Verb
  • Part of the issue is that pilots often run without integration into legal and IT, and so executives don’t embed the pilots into their infrastructure, but restart from zero each time.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The tools will become faster, cheaper, and more deeply embedded in daily life.
    — Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of embed
Noun
  • Soft, dynamic cushioning cradles your feet with every step while providing maximum support, providing transition assistance between launch and landing.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Here in a quiet public garden overlooked by the tourist guides, his fingers reverently trace a volcanic stone from Þingvellir, the ancient cradle of Icelandic democracy.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cradle
Noun
  • The question that matters most A famous name should be the beginning of the conversation, not the end of it.
    — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The new findings indicate that last year’s increases were a momentary surge, rather than the beginning of a positive trend.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of beginning
Noun
  • Pricing Happy Head’s topical solution is billed on a monthly basis, with a single bottle containing two ounces of treatment solution.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Rice had a side hustle as a vintage dealer and brought in plenty of pieces from the same era, including 1950s sofas by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, a pair of 1970s blue suede armchairs, and benches from France with colorful bases.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of basis

Phrases Containing root

Browse Nearby Words

roosts
root
rooted
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Cite this Entry

“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on root

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about root

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